FIX: Unable to update Windows Store Apps on Windows 8

One of the newest feature of Windows 8 is the availability of Windows Store applications. By now there are tons of application available and lot of new applications are added to the store on a regular basis by lot of developers across the globe. I have seen a lot of people having issues where they are not able to install these application. It either will say the application has failed to install or you can see the status as pending for a really long time. After some research, I find that there are mainly two methods that have proven to resolve this issue. In this article we’ll discuss those two methods.

Cannot update Windows Store apps

Method 1

In this method we’ll run the native Windows Update Troubleshooter to fix this issue. We have to run the “Fix problems with Windows Update” package to troubleshoot this problem. Here is how

Go to Windows Modern UI screen and type in Control and click on Control Panel (or) Press Win + R to open Run and type in Control and press OK.

Under “System and Security” click on “Find and Fix problems”.

There click on “Fix problems with Windows Update”.

Now just follow the wizard. Once it completes it work, reboot the system and test it again.

Windows Store apps will not update

Method 2

The next method is to rule out any third-party Firewall or application conflict. To do so you need to reboot the system in Selective Startup or Diagnostic Startup. Here is how:

Press Win + R to open Run and type in MSCONFIG

In General tab select “SelectiveStartup” and uncheck on “Load Startup items”.

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Now click on the “Services” tab and uncheck on “Hide all Microsoft services”.

Click on “Disable all” then just check your Wireless adaptor.

If you’re not sure which is your WiFi adaptor then press Win + R to open Run and type in MSINFO32.

Then expand Components –> Network –> Adaptor and on the right side you should find it.

Now click OK and reboot your system and test it.

Once it’s complete you can switch it back to “Normal Startup”

If none of the step works please feel free to post it in our forums we’ll be more than happy to help you.

Shyam aka “Captain Jack” is a Microsoft MVP alumnus and a Windows Enthusiast with an interest in Advanced Windows troubleshooting. Suggestions made and opinions expressed by him here are his personal one's and not of his current employers. He blogs at captaindbg.com.